Otitis media: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is otitis media?

Otitis media, also known as middle ear infection, is a type of ear infection or inflammation that occurs in the area behind the eardrum or middle ear.

This condition causes several symptoms to appear in the sufferer, such as pain in the ear, fever, hearing problems, and discharge from the ear.

Infections that occur in the ear are generally caused by viruses or bacteria that breed in the middle ear. Several health problems such as allergies, sinus infections, or the flu can trigger the condition.

In some cases, this condition can go away on its own without requiring medical treatment. However, sometimes this condition can also cause serious health problems, depending on the severity and type suffered.

How common is this condition?

Otitis media is a very common health condition. Although this condition can occur in individuals of any age, about 80 to 90 percent of cases are found in children under the age of 6.

In addition, it is estimated that as many as 3 out of 4 children have experienced this condition once before they are 3 years old. This condition can also occur in adults, although the incidence is very small.

In several studies, the incidence of this disease is more common in male patients than female.

Type

What are the different types of otitis media?

This infectious disease can be divided into three types. The following is an explanation of each type:

1. Acute otitis media

Acute otitis media is the most common ear infection and does not pose a significant risk of causing health problems. This condition is classified as acute because it occurs suddenly and lasts a certain period of time.

Acute otitis media occurs when fluid and mucus builds up in the ear, causing inflammation and swelling to appear. The child will experience ear pain, hearing loss, and fever when the infection occurs.

2. Otitis media with effusion (fluid)

This condition generally occurs due to acute otitis media that doesn't get better. After the infection has subsided, there may still be a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum.

3. Chronic otitis media

In contrast to acute otitis media, this type of fluid buildup in the ear lasts for a long time. In fact, when the common ear infection has started to get better, the buildup of fluid will recur.

This condition can lead to more serious ear problems and the body will have a hard time fighting off infections. In more severe cases, the patient's eardrum is at risk of damage.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of otitis media?

The signs and symptoms of otitis media generally vary from person to person. However, the most common symptoms are pain, hearing loss, and fever.

The following are the most common signs and symptoms:

Ear pain (otalgia)
Easy to get angry
Sleep disturbance
Ear tugging
Easy to fuss and cry
Fever over 38 degrees Celsius
Yellow, clear, or bloody discharge from the ear
Losing balance
Hearing disorders
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Decreased appetite
Nasal congestion

Other additional symptoms that may appear in some sufferers include:

Decreased consciousness
Vertigo
Cough

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Symptoms show no sign of getting better after 2-3 days
The ears are very sore
Pus or fluid discharge from the ear - some people experience a continuous, painless discharge that lasts for several months
Other health conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or congenital heart disease, that can worsen complications.

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor.

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, make sure you always have any symptoms checked by your doctor or the nearest health service center.

Cause

What causes otitis media?

Infections of the middle ear are generally caused by bacteria or viruses. These infections are the result of other health problems, such as colds, flu, or allergies that cause increased mucus production.

Increased mucus and fluid production in the sinuses can cause these fluids to build up. This causes the drainage of fluid in the eustachian tube to be obstructed. Here's the explanation:

1. Infections associated with the eustachian tract

The eustachian tube is a tube that connects the middle ear cavity with the back of the nose. If there is an infection or respiratory allergy, the eustachian tube becomes blocked.

This results in a buildup of fluid in the middle ear. The condition of the middle ear, which is damp and wet due to accumulated fluid, can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

2. Infections associated with adenoids

The adenoids are the layers of tissue that are located at the back of the nasal cavity. Adenoids play an important role as the body's immune system by fighting bacteria or viruses that enter.

However, sometimes there are bacteria remaining on the adenoids. This condition can lead to infection and inflammation of the eustachian tube and middle ear.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for otitis media?

The following are risk factors that can lead to infection of the middle ear:

1. Age

Children under 3 years of age are much more prone to developing middle ear infections. This is because the size and shape of the eustachian duct that the child has is still too large.

2. Gender

This disease is more common in male patients than female. If you or your child is male, the risk of getting this infection is much higher.

3. Being in a place with high levels of pollution

If you often do activities in a place with poor air quality, you are more at risk for contracting this disease.

4. Smoking

Whether it's active smokers or second-hand smoke, they are both at risk of developing an ear infection in the middle. Be careful, cigarette smoke can get into the ear directly and cause ear infections.

5. Having a bad immune system

A problematic immune system can make it easier for the body to be exposed to bacterial and viral attacks, so that infection can occur. People with autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis and HIV, are also at risk of developing middle ear infections.

6. Being in a crowded place

If you often keep your child in a busy daycare center, your child is more susceptible to catching a cold or fever that is passed on from other children. This condition results in a greater chance of contracting bacterial and viral infections.

7. Descendants of the family

If there are members of your family who have had ear infections, especially those classified as chronic, your chances of getting infections are even greater.

8. Babies feed from bottles

Babies who drink from bottles, especially in a sleeping position, are more prone to ear infections than babies who are exclusively breastfed.

9. Suffering from chronic respiratory problems

If you have or are suffering from a chronic respiratory condition, such as cystic fibrosis or asthma, your chances of developing a middle ear infection are much greater.

10. Certain seasons

Acute otitis media is more common in certain seasons, such as winter or the rainy season. People with allergic conditions that often recur in certain seasons are at risk of developing this infection.

11. Having a cleft lip condition

Cleft lip sufferers have a different bone and muscle structure from normal people. This condition makes it more difficult to drain fluid in the eustachian tube, so the risk of infection is higher.

Complications

What are the complications caused by otitis media?

If otitis media is not treated promptly, in rare cases it can lead to several complications:

1. Hearing loss

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, temporary hearing loss and milder are common symptoms that appear in sufferers of this infection. In patients who have chronic infections, sufferers are at risk of experiencing permanent hearing loss.

2. The infection spreads to the tissues around the ear

Infections that are not treated promptly or that do not get better with treatment can spread to the tissues around the ear. One type of infection that can occur is mastoiditis.

3. The ability to speak is delayed

Babies or toddlers with middle ear infections may experience delays or impaired speech and social skills. This is because the hearing function cannot work optimally.

4. The eardrum is injured or ruptured

In severe enough cases, the infection has the potential to cause injury or rupture of the eardrum. This condition will generally improve within 72 hours. However, in some cases, a surgical procedure is required to repair the eardrum.

5. Vertigo and loss of balance

Otitis media can cause vertigo because the infective fluid will block the eustachian tube, which is inside the ear. When the eustachian tube is problematic, you will experience a severe headache, typical of vertigo, which makes the body easily sway.

6. Meningitis

Bacterial and viral ear infections in children and adults can cause meningitis. Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

7. Brain abscess

Brain abscess is one of the most serious complications of otitis media infection. The fluid filled with bacteria that had been reminiscent of the ear can flow to the brain and eventually accumulate there. Over time, the fluid that has accumulated in the brain will turn into pus.

8. Paralyzed face

Bell's palsy is another risk of complications from a middle ear infection. Bell's palsy is characterized by facial paralysis due to inflammation and swelling of the peripheral nerves that control the muscles on one side of the face.

Diagnosis

How is this condition diagnosed?

Doctors will usually diagnose this condition based on the symptoms you or your child is experiencing, as well as a history of past or current illnesses.

After that, your doctor may use a device called an otoscope. This tool is equipped with a flashlight which functions to see the inside of the ear, nasal passages and throat.

If necessary, the doctor may use a special or pneumatic otoscope. This tool can detect the presence of fluid behind the eardrum. With this tool, the doctor will blow a little air into the eardrum.

Your doctor will order additional tests if you think you have a more serious infectious condition:

Tympanometry to measure the movement of the eardrum
Acoustic reflectometry to measure how much sound bounces off the eardrum
Tympanocentesis to open the eardrum, so that the fluid that builds up in the middle ear will be released

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat otitis media?

There are several ways to treat middle ear infections. Treatment and medical treatment given will depend on age, medical condition, and medical history. The following treatment options may be recommended by your doctor:

1. Painkillers

The doctor will prescribe over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain.

2. Antibiotic therapy

Under certain conditions, your doctor may recommend oral antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are given to children under 6 months of age who have been confirmed to have otitis media.

3. Myringotomy

If the ear infection recurs within a few months or a year, the doctor will order a surgical procedure known as myringotomy.

Myringotomy is a medical treatment in which the doctor will make a small incision in your eardrum so that the fluid that has accumulated inside can be drained.